Program music

Program music is music intended to musically represent, or accompany, an extra-musical theme, contrasting with absolute music. The term is almost exclusively applied to works in the European classical music tradition, particularly those from the Romantic music period of the 19th century, during which the concept was popular, but pieces which fit the description have long been a part of music. Opera and Lieder could in principle be considered program music, but the term is usually reserved for purely instrumental works (pieces without singers and lyrics).

Related Topics:
Music - Absolute music - European classical music - Romantic music - Opera - Lied

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